What Is Ingots And Billets? Steel Ingots Vs Billets
What Is Ingots And Billets?
Ingots and billets are both types of metal castings that are used in various industries such as aerospace, electronics, construction, and more. An ingot is a material that is cast into a shape to make transportation and processing easier.
Ingots are typically rectangular in shape, which allows them to be stacked, and they are most commonly associated with metals. The process of creating ingots is thousands of years old, and they can range in size and shape, from small blocks weighing a few pounds to large octagonal shapes weighing over 500 tons.
The word “ingot” comes from the mold in which the bars are cast, which differentiates them from other, usually smaller, bars that are produced by minting or stamping sheets of gold bullion.
On the other hand, a billet is a small, semi-finished piece of metal that is rectangular, circular, or square in shape. It is a semi-finished casting product that needs further processing before becoming finished goods.
Billets are sold as cut lengths or coils and usually have an area less than 36 sq inch. They are also known as bar stock and are used as raw materials or feedstock in extrusion, forging, rolling, and other metal-processing operations.
Billets have limited use before they have been formed into more functional shapes and sizes, and they must undergo a series of manufacturing processes before they can be used for various purposes. The unformed billets, however, can be used in striking currency such as coins and as reserves, similar to gold bars. Final products also include bar stock and wire.
Proper casting of billets is important as it determines the billet’s strength and flexibility. Billets undergo a number of tests before they are sold, and billets that develop cracks and voids between heating and cooling processes are rejected, as such defects make the product useless.
The billet’s grain structure also enables the metal to be processed more intricately and steel billets are known for their malleability and ductility, especially when exposed to varying temperatures during shaping and molding.
In summary, ingots and billets are both metal castings used in various industries, but they have different characteristics and uses. Ingots are typically rectangular in shape and are used for transportation and processing, while billets are small, semi-finished pieces of metal that need further processing before becoming finished goods.
Both types of castings are important in the metal industry and play a crucial role in the production of various products.
Ingots Vs. Billets – Production Method
Steel ingots and billets are both forms of steel, but they are produced using different methods. Ingots are made by pouring hot metal into molds through batch casting, using a bottom pouring method.
They have a tapered cross-section, which can be square, rectangular, round or polygonal, and include a hot top that traps impurities during the casting process.
Billets, on the other hand, are produced through continuous casting on a CCM (continuous castings machine). They have a uniform cross-section that can be square, round, or flat, and can be cut to any desired length while still hot. Billets are made through a continuous casting process that produce a steel in a billet form.
Steel Ingots Vs Billets – Durability And Cost
Steel billets and ingots are both used in the production of steel products, but they have some key differences. Steel billets tend to be less expensive than steel ingots but ingots offer some advantages when it comes to producing round bars and other steel products.
The grain flow of steel bars rolled from ingots can be achieved with a lower reduction ratio than CCM-produced steel billets which require a higher reduction ratio.
Additionally, the capital costs for producing larger-sized steel ingots are lower than those for steel billets. Steel ingots can be produced in a variety of customized sizes and shapes, making them ideal for large forgings, while billets are preferred for smaller sizes.
Ultimately, both steel ingots and billets have their own advantages and are used for different applications.